Robert Bloomberg “optimistic for a positive outcome”
South African trainers and jockeys have joined forces to object against the Penalty Guidelines published by the National Horseracing Authority on 21 October 2016.
The imposition of the penalty guidelines as reported here late last week, spurred trainers and jockeys into presenting a united front to appeal to the NHA and petition for a rethink.
The group, consisting of Mike de Kock, Sean Tarry, Joe Soma and Louis Goosen on behalf of Gauteng trainers, Tony Rivalland and Paul Lafferty on behalf of KZN trainers, Brett Crawford and Vaughan Marshall on behalf of Western Cape trainers, Gavin Smith and Alan Greeff on behalf of PE trainers, Cliffie Miller on behalf of Kimberley trainers, Piere Strydom, Gunther Wrogemann and Tex Lerena on behalf of Gauteng jockeys, Anton Marcus and Anthony Delpech on behalf of KZN jockeys and Greg Cheyne and MJ Byleveld on behalf of Coastal Jockeys Association represents all duly licensed trainers and jockeys with the National Horseracing Authority of SA, has mandated Mr Robert Bloomberg, Attorney and Consultant to the Horseracing Industry, to act as their spokesperson and legal representative.
In this capacity, on 24 October 2016 Mr Bloomberg issued a formal communication to the regulatory authority, requesting that the Penalty Guidelines be immediately and unconditionally withdrawn. There was also an accompanying Memorandum containing a raft of demands and proposals, as well as a statement that the group would consider mass protests if their concerns were not taken seriously.
Speaking to the Sporting Post earlier today, Bloomberg confirmed that the NHA’s response has been swift and positive, stating “Following a frank, honest, informative and highly beneficial teleconference this morning with Lyndon Barends, MD of the NHA and trainers Mike de Kock and Tony Rivalland, we are of the opinion that the concerns of the trainers and jockeys will in the main, be adequately addressed both immediately and in the future where circumstances decree otherwise. Since taking office, Mr Barends has been a breath of fresh air and his transparency and extreme willingness to engage in a consultative process and to openly admit when the NHA has erred is admirable and represents a new era in our sport. He has already achieved much in a short space of time and should be embraced and supported by all in the industry. We are exceedingly optimistic that following the positive negotiations that an outcome in the bests interests of all aggrieved parties will result. Accordingly, the prospects of any mass action by trainers and jockeys would not be advisable and is exceedingly unlikely to transpire.”
